JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan declared Sept. 15 as Clothing Insecurity Awareness Day across the city. To observe the day, Presbyterian Social Ministries, Inc. mobilized employee volunteers from the Community First Credit Union Kindness Crew to sort and process donated apparel at its Murray Hill warehouse.<\/p>\n
The observance focused attention on clothing insecurity, an essential need affecting children, senior adults, veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness or crisis in Northeast Florida. <\/p>\n
Operating through its Clothing with Purpose program, Presbyterian Social Ministries distributes apparel at no charge to more than 100 local nonprofit partners, helping people attend school and seek employment while maintaining personal health and dignity.<\/p>\n
Founded in 2004 and affiliated with the Presbytery of St. Augustine, Presbyterian Social Ministries operates supportive services across the region. Among its initiatives is Home Safe, a housing program that provides support for 60 chronically homeless families.<\/p>\n
The organization\u2019s Clothing with Purpose program expanded its outreach in 2025, distributing 218,497 clothing items to 31,214 people through its partner network. In addition to distributing apparel, the program recycled 22,414 pounds of materials during 2025, keeping approximately 10 tons of textiles out of local landfills.<\/p>\n
Neil Claasen, director of logistics at Presbyterian Social Ministries, explained how the regional warehouse operations assist partner organizations. \u201cClothing is one of our most basic needs, but making sure it reaches the people who need it most takes more than collecting donations,\u201d Claasen said. <\/p>\n
\u201cClothing with Purpose provides the warehousing, quality control, inventory systems and distribution network that enable our partners to access a dependable source of good-quality clothing for the people they serve. By preparing and making this clothing available, we help our partners devote more time and resources to the services at the heart of their missions, while helping ensure that the people they serve have clothing that supports their dignity, confidence and ability to move forward,\u201d Claasen added.<\/p>\n
Clothing with Purpose receives large-volume donations of new and gently used clothing from retail and manufacturing corporate partners, including Victoria\u2019s Secret, Bombas, Natural Life, SanMar and Kid to Kid. Presbyterian Social Ministries CEO Teri Ketchum described clean clothing as an essential component of basic care. <\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of volunteers, nonprofit partners, private foundations and corporate partners such as the Community First Cares Foundation, PSMJax can fulfill our faith-based mission to connect those who have with those in need,\u201d Ketchum said. \u201cYou can\u2019t access life naked. Clean, well-fitting, weather-appropriate clothing is a basic need, just like food and shelter. Clothing with Purpose helps meet that need in Northeast Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ketchum also expressed gratitude for the community that sustains the distribution network. \u201cWe are deeply grateful to all the individuals, foundations and companies that invest in our work and volunteer their time,\u201d Ketchum said. \u201cTheir support strengthens CWP and the nonprofit partners we serve throughout our region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Community First Credit Union assisted with operations at the warehouse during the event. Sam Inman, president and CEO of Community First Credit Union, emphasized the credit union\u2019s commitment to community support. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not enough to simply recognize a need \u2014 we must come together and act with compassion,\u201d Inman said. \u201cCommunity First is proud to support this initiative through our Kindness Crew, whose volunteers are willing to roll up their sleeves and help ensure every person in our community has clothing, dignity and confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
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